Tricolor falls during hoisting by Mehbooba, probe ordered

Srinagar Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today faced a deeply embarrassing moment when the national tricolor fell off the post when she wanted to hoist it at Bakshi stadium here where the main Independence Day function of the state was held.

An inquiry was immediately ordered into the fiasco. Mehbooba, who was hoisting the national flag as Chief Minister for the first time, pulled the string attached to the post only to see the tricolor fall from the post and land on the ground.

Amid the embarrassing situation, two personnel from the security detail of the Chief Minister held the flag in their hands till Mehbooba gave the ceremonial salute to the flag.

As Mehbooba left the stage for inspecting the contingents of the police and paramilitary forces, the security staff at the Bakshi Stadium hurriedly set the flag right and hoisted it atop the post.

Later, Director General of Police K Rajendra Kumar said he has ordered an inquiry into the fiasco.

“An inquiry was ordered immediately into the incident so as to fix the responsibility,” Kumar told PTI.

The DGP said it was a lapse on part of “someone and that person needs to answer. How can the flag come down like that!”